Chelsea
Chelsea readies legal case over Enzo Maresca after reported City talks
Chelsea to seek compensation if Enzo Maresca joins City after alleged talks while at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are preparing to pursue compensation from Manchester City if Enzo Maresca is appointed as Pep Guardiola’s successor this summer.
The club’s decision follows a turbulent start to the 2025–26 campaign after Maresca’s acrimonious and unforeseen exit from Stamford Bridge in January. Reports in the Telegraph say Chelsea’s argument rests on an allegation that Maresca informed the club of discussions with Manchester City while he remained employed by Chelsea.
Those close to Maresca have told The Guardian that Chelsea would be “entitled to demand a sizeable compensation package” if City appoint him. Compensation demands are routine where a manager under contract is the subject of interest from another club, though the circumstances here are different.
Maresca is no longer employed by Chelsea, which complicates the standard model for compensation. Nevertheless, the club could attempt to show a causal or perceived link between his departure in January and a later move to Manchester City, even with several months between events.
The rapid breakdown of the relationship between Maresca and Chelsea has not been publicly explained in detail. The published reports suggest the club sees potential culpability in what is described as external contact prior to his departure.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has spoken publicly about the exit, saying Maresca wasn’t fired and his departure was “not a change [Chelsea] wanted to make.” He added that he could not say more for legal reasons.
If Chelsea proceed, the dispute would hinge on the timing and content of conversations that reportedly took place while Maresca was employed at Stamford Bridge and on whether those discussions justify a claim against Manchester City. Any formal legal action would aim to secure compensation should City complete an appointment that follows those reports.
Arsenal
The Italians Who Have Lifted the Premier League Trophy
Four Italian managers have won the Premier League; only three Italians have done so as players. 2026
Italian influence in English football has often been visible but comparatively rare when it comes to lifting the Premier League trophy. Only four Italian managers have won the title, and just three Italians have collected winners’ medals as players.
Carlo Ancelotti delivered the first Premier League success for an Italian in 2009-10. His Chelsea side finished a point clear of Manchester United, scoring 103 goals across the season and sealing the title with an 8–0 win over Wigan Athletic on the final day. Chelsea followed that triumph with an FA Cup victory six days later, conceding only once in that cup run.
Roberto Mancini presided over one of the division’s most dramatic conclusions in 2011-12. Manchester City needed victory on the final day to overhaul Manchester United. Trailing Queens Park Rangers 2–1 in stoppage time, Edin Džeko levelled in the 92nd minute and Sergio Agüero scored two minutes later to secure City their first Premier League crown and their first top-flight title since 1968.
Claudio Ranieri achieved the most improbable title success with Leicester City in 2015-16. Pre-season odds had placed the Foxes at 5000/1, yet Ranieri’s team prevailed ahead of Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. A direct approach, astute recruitment and team spirit, with key contributions from N’Golo Kanté, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez and important roles for Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Danny Drinkwater and Shinji Okazaki, powered that campaign.
Antonio Conte won the Premier League in his first season in England after his 2016 appointment at Chelsea. The title was secured at the Hawthorns in May courtesy of a rare Michy Batshuayi goal. Conte’s side held off a strong Tottenham challenge with important contributions from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.
As players, Mario Balotelli was the first Italian to earn a Premier League winner’s medal with Manchester City in 2011-12, scoring 13 goals in 23 appearances and providing the assist for the title-clinching finish at the end of that season. Federico Chiesa won the league with Liverpool in 2024-25, making six Premier League appearances including one start. Riccardo Calafiori was part of Arsenal’s title-winning squad in 2025-26.
Chelsea
Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: Fernández and Santos end Blues’ two-month wait
Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos delivered as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-1 to end drought this season.
Chelsea ended a worrying Premier League run with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, recording their first league win since March 4. The contest was edged by Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos, whose influence helped the Blues hold on as Tottenham pushed late and pulled one back through Richarlison.
Enzo Fernández was the standout, finding space behind Tottenham’s midfield and scoring from distance to open the scoring. The long strike was described as a thumping hit and gave Fernández his 20th goal contribution of the season. He then created Chelsea’s second by assisting Santos’s decisive finish.
A day after getting left out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup roster , Andrey Santos produced a commanding midfield display, regaining possession repeatedly and showing precise passing. He crashed into the box to score Chelsea’s second and secure the win. “A day after getting left out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup roster , Andrey Santos showed Carlo Ancelotti just what he’ll be missing,” the original report noted.
Tottenham responded through Richarlison’s close-range strike and pressed for an equaliser, but Chelsea defended resolutely to preserve the three points. The victory keeps Chelsea’s hopes of continental football alive: the Blues will need a win in the final game of the season to guarantee at least a place in one of the lower-tier European competitions next season. The result will also extend the Premier League relegation fight to the final matchday, something that was welcomed by some rival supporters.
Player ratings (selected):
GK: Robert Sánchez — 7.0
RB: Josh Acheampong — 6.7
CB: Wesley Fofana — 7.3
CB: Jorrel Hato — 7.0
LB: Marc Cucurella — 7.1
CM: Andrey Santos — 8.2
CM: Moisés Caicedo — 7.2
RW: Pedro Neto — 7.9
AM: Cole Palmer — 6.5
LW: Enzo Fernández — 9.0
ST: Liam Delap — 6.3
Subs (ratings where given): Trevoh Chalobah (74’ for Acheampong) — 6.3; Mamadou Sarr (81’ for Fofana) — N/A; Dário Essugo (89’ for Palmer) — N/A; Shim Mheuka (89’ for Delap) — N/A; Alejandro Garnacho (89’ for Neto) — N/A.
Match statistics (Chelsea vs Tottenham): Possession 44% — 56%; Expected Goals (xG) 0.63 — 1.72; Total Shots 9 — 9; Shots on Target 4 — 3; Big Chances 1 — 5; Passing Accuracy 84% — 88%; Fouls Committed 11 — 18.
Chelsea
Barco signals Strasbourg exit as Chelsea transfer talk intensifies
Valentín Barco has posted an Instagram farewell to Strasbourg ahead of a likely move to Chelsea and.
Valentín Barco has signalled that he will not be part of Strasbourg’s squad next season after posting a farewell message on Instagram. The full confirmation of a transfer to Chelsea has not been announced, but the social post made clear his intention to leave the French side.
“Today I say goodbye to this club,” he wrote, adding: “Thank you very much for this year and a half, and many successes for the future.” The message mentioned former manager Liam Rosenior, who the club credited with a role in Barco’s development during his time in France.
A move to Chelsea is widely expected. If completed, Barco would follow striker Emmanuel Emegha in moving from eastern France to Stamford Bridge Blues this summer, a transfer window in which Chelsea are set to benefit from their shared ownership with Strasbourg under the BlueCo group.
Chelsea’s interest in Barco dates back to his time at Boca Juniors, when they were among the early suitors. At Boca he was primarily used as a left back, with the ability to invert into midfield noted as a factor in his appeal for modern systems.
Barco did not join Chelsea then and instead moved to Brighton & Hove Albion. He made seven appearances there before being loaned to Sevilla, where he did not establish himself. Seeking to rebuild his career, Barco moved to Strasbourg initially on loan and a permanent transfer clause was later triggered. It was in France that the 21-year-old regained form.
At Strasbourg he began as a left wing back under Rosenior, who later converted him into a full-time midfielder with positive results. How Barco would slot into Chelsea will likely depend on the formation adopted by new manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso favoured a 3-4-2-1 shape at Bayer Leverkusen and a return to that setup at Chelsea would align with Barco’s experience in similar roles at Strasbourg under Rosenior.
